Gardening in Containers Using Tropical Plants

Gardening in Containers
Using Tropical Plants
Contents
Tender Perennials and Tropical Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Essentials of Container Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Selecting Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Designing with Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Working with Shape, Texture and Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Plant Positions in the Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Where to Place Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Fertilizing Tropical Plants in Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Theme Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Plant Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Container Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Table 1: Selected Commonly Marketed Tropical Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Gardening in Containers
Using Tropical Plants
By Bodie V. Pennisi
Extension Floriculture Specialist
Department of Horticulture, The University of Georgia
to include plants with significant foliar interest, to
supplement flowering materials that may not be at their
best throughout the season.
Many plants considered tender perennials and tropicals hold up very well in the challenging conditions and
can tolerate extremes of heat, humidity, and moisture.
Some are uniquely adapted to low-light environments
and can be used in containers suited for shaded areas.
These plants are traditionally used as interiorscape
plants, but they have shown much potential for outdoor
use in the summer as well. Others can tolerate or even
thrive in full sun.
Because most interiorscape plants are selected for
their attractive foliage, the mixed garden will permanently exhibit interest.
Container gardening has enjoyed an increased
popularity in the last decade. With increased urbanization, container gardens have come to the rescue to
brighten up patios and balconies. A great many plants
have been used in container gardens — from herbaceous annuals, bulbs, succulents and perennials to
woody Japanese maples and conifers.
Tender Perennials and
Tropical Plants
Particularly in the South, high heat and humidity
often combined with drought, present a serious challenge to ornamental gardening. This can be especially
true for container gardens, where plant roots have
limited soil space to access water and nutrients. Large
day-to-day fluctuations in soil moisture and nutrients
occur in the enclosed container space. Optimal growth
and flowering can be adversely affected. Select plants
carefully, with consideration as to whether the plants
can not only withstand these conditions but perform
satisfactorily under them. In addition, it is a good idea
This publication is intended to provide information on successful gardening in containers using
tropical plant materials.
Essentials of
Container Gardening
Selecting Containers
Because of the great variety of options, choosing
containers can be challenging but enjoyable! The price
range can be wide, especially for large, terracotta
glazed containers, which usually are most expensive.
Many people choose plastic containers, which are less
expensive. These can be just as attractive as heavy clay
pots and not as liable to breakage. You can select moss
or coco fiber baskets or plastic baskets. Both work
equally well as far as plant performance is concerned.
The style and shape of the container should complement the plants grown. The style and shape also should
complement other containers for best display. The size
of the container will limit the size of the plant. A wide
range of materials is available — plastics, fiberglass,
terracotta, stone and wood.
Make sure that used containers are clean. Wash out
any old compost, chemical or paint residues. To help
Figure 1. Colorful combination gardens made up
exclusively of tropical foliage plants. The container on
the left features high-light adapted plants and can be
used on patios, sundecks, around pools, etc. The
container on the right uses plants best adapted for
low-light environments.
3
moss liner if holes are pierced through. This helps hold
moisture while retaining a “natural” effect. Coconutfiber matting liners are a woolly-textured, naturallooking fiber that lasts several seasons.
Biodegradeable liners are made from compressed
fibers, and will last for 2 years or more. Holes need to
be made in sides and base for trailing plants. Plastic,
when used alone with pierced holes, is an effective
container but it only looks good if plants grow over to
camouflage the container.
Soils for containers need to have three key elements:
(1) drainage, (2) aeration and (3) water retention. If you
use moss, coco fiber baskets or any container that
allows high evaporation, consider adding a waterretaining agent to the soil mix. Mix a moisture-retaining agent in the medium (follow manufacturer’s
recommendation for mixing rates) or purchase a soilless medium premixed with a moisture retaining agent.
Designing with Plants
When planning a container garden, you should
follow some basic design principles.
The first design principle is focus. You need to
draw the eye toward the center of the container and let
the other plants complement and “flow” around this
center. In Figure 3, the visually strong Begonia foliage
serves that purpose.
Figure 2. Containers.
prolong the life of wooden containers, line them with
plastic. The type of plants will determine the growing
conditions you will need to create.
Unless you are creating a bog garden, the container
must have drainage holes. If not, the compost will
become saturated and stagnant, killing the plants. A 3to 5-gallon container should have at least four drainage
holes. Containers made of molded foam usually do not
come with pre-drilled holes, so you must add them.
There’s usually a reminder from the manufacturer so
you won’t forget.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting baskets. Moss lining looks natural and allows easy
planting through the base and sides of the basket. You
can use a black plastic (polyethelene) liner inside the
Figure 3.
4
The second design principle is balance. This may
be accomplished using symmetrical or asymmetrical
design. In symmetrical designs, there is an equal
amount of plant material on all sides. In the container
shown in Figure 3, the vertical begonia pulls the eye to
the top right, while the trailing ivy draws the eye to the
bottom left creating an asymmetrical effect. In either
case balanced design is achieved.
Form is the third design principle. Each plant in the
design has a growth habit, or form. Some plants have a
strong upright habit. Others have a sprawling habit,
while a third type grows as a mound. Each of these
habits can contribute to the overall aesthetic quality of
the container garden if used in the right place. In the
example in Figure 4, the Elephant ear (Alocasia) gives
the design height, the Coleus and New Guinea Impatiens show a mounded habit, and the Ivy drapes over
the container’s edge.
A fourth design principle is texture. Various plants
have different textured foliage. Some have linear
leaves, like grasses, Dracaena or Cordyline. Others
have rounded leaves, like the Elephant ear, Begonia,
Philodendron and Coleus. A good design will use a
variety of textures to make “a feast for the eye.”
A fifth design principle is rhythm. Rhythm is
achieved by planting the same or similar-looking plants
at repeated intervals. When the eye travels around the
container, the viewer gets a sense of a rhythmic
movement.
A sixth design principle is proportion. To keep
plants and container in proportion and achieve a
balanced appearance, the height of the plants should
not exceed three times the height of the container. For
shallow or small containers, choose plants that will not
get too large and/or choose plants with small-sized
foliage. For large or tall containers, choose medium to
large plants and/or plants with large leaves.
Figure 4.
Working with Shape, Texture, and Color
Along with the tropical foliage plants, you can use
flowering annuals such as Vinca, Wax Begonia, Ivy
Geranium, Bacopa, Calibrachoa, Torenia, New Guinea
Impatiens, regular Impatiens, Verbena, Portulaca and
Lantana.
Caladium cultivars are available in a great variety of
foliage colors, shapes and sizes. They can also help
“echo” the color of flowers in the container.
Tropical plants boast a wonderful variety of foliage
textures and colors. Mix plants with at least three textures of foliage to make a container garden interesting
(Figure 9, page 6).
Figure 5.
5
Figure 6.
Figure 7.
Figure 8.
A
B
Figure 9.
A. Ginger, Calathea, Caladium, Fern
B. Dracaena, Asparagus, Hypoestes,
Peperomia
C. Alpinia, Setaria, Canna,
Philodendron, Caladium
C
6
Some good foliage contrasts include downy with
glossy, small with large, and yellow or lime-green with
purple. Some of those in Figure 10: the glossy Begonia
‘Dragon Wing’ against the matte leaves of Setcresea
and the chartreuse of Ipomoea ‘Marguerite’ with the
purple of Setcresea.
For locations that receive 4-12 hours of sun a day,
select full sun to part shade plants. For locations that
receive 2-4 hours of sun daily, select plants for part or
full shade. Many tropical plants have flexible light
requirements and will grow well in shade, although
flowering may be reduced. If using shade requiring
plants listed in Table 1, you may include them in the
side of the container that will not be exposed to direct
sun. This way they will not burn, yet they will receive
ample light for good growth.
Plant Positions in the Container
Figure 11 shows an arrangement of plants.
Center plants provide compact, upright growth to
fill in the crown of the container. Examples are Elephant Ears (Alocasia, Colocasia), Dracaena, Cordyline,
palms.
Filler plants typically have compact, upright
growth and round out the top of the container. Examples are Cuphea, Coffee, Ctenanthe, gingers, Graptopetalum.
Corner plants grow well over the container’s edge
and benefit from a corner position where they have
maximum elbowroom. Examples are: Begonia, Alternantera, bromeliads, Fittonia, Pillea, Peperomia.
Edge plants drape over the side, softening the look
of the container and filling out the space between its
corners. Examples are Ivy, String of pearls, Hoya,
Tradescantia, Selaginella.
Refer to Table 1 for a list of plants, their characteristics and intended use in a container garden.
In a successful container garden all plants combined in one container must have similar water,
light and fertilizer requirements.
Fertilizing Tropical Plants in Containers
For best results with tropical plants, regular fertilization should be done with a combination of liquid feed
and a slow-release fertilizer. You can apply slowrelease fertilizer at planting, mixed in the soil or topdress, or use a soilless mix with slow-release fertilizer
incorporated in. Depending on the duration of the slowrelease fertilizer formulation, you may have to make
several applications. Follow label directions when
applying fertilizers.
Theme Gardens
You may also create a theme garden, such as a fern
garden (Figure 13), or a succulent garden (Figure 14).
Theme gardens usually combine plant species that are
either closely related, such as ferns, or belong to a category, such as cacti and succulents. Since the plants
included in a theme usually have similar light, moisture, and nutrient requirements, these gardens are easy
to care for.
Where to Place Containers
Plant Maintenance
When choosing a location for your container garden, avoid exposed windy sites. (Figure 12) Plants in
windy locations use a large amount of water in order to
survive. Windy, hot, conditions may require watering
every few hours, especially if the plants are large,
and/or the container is small.
Nothing lasts forever! Container gardens need to be
gardened. (Figure 15)
Most plants benefit from pinching, which is the
removal of young tissue located at the tips. This
encourages branching and fuller growth. Later in the
Figure 10.
Figure 11.
Figure 12.
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Figure 13.
Figure 14.
Figure 15.
Alocasia sinuata
Anthericum saundersiae
‘St. Bernard’s Lily’
Philodendron gloriosum
Syngonium ‘Willimsii’
Micania
Caladium ‘Brandywine’
season, trimming may be needed in order to rejuvenate
the plant.
Spraying for pests and diseases may be needed;
usually insecticidal soap and/or insecticidal oil are
sufficient in holding the pests in check.
Remove weeds by hand.
Container Recipes
The following container gardens were created and
maintained at the Research and Education Garden at
the University of Georgia Campus in Griffin, Georgia.
The containers used were 36-inch or larger in diameter,
made of foam or plastic. They were planted in late
April or early May in bark-based commercial mix,
supplemented with a slow-release fertilizer and a waterretention agent.
Colocasia ‘Purple Stem’
Cordyline ‘Red Star’
Iresine ‘Curly’
Talinum ‘Jewels of Opar’
Begonia ‘Benitochiba’
Combinations for Sun/Part Shade
Costus ‘Variegatus’
Alocasia
Cordyline ‘Purple Knight’
Clerodendron ugandense
Hedychium
Canna ‘Purpurea’
Begonia ‘Benitochiba’
Euphorbia ‘Burrows Silver’
Rhoeo bermudensis
Iresine formosa
Clerodendron ugandense
Cordyline ‘Rubra’
Iresine ‘Curly’
Acalypha wilkesiana
Anthurium crystallinum
Caladium ‘Red Ruffles’
Syngonium ‘Christmas’
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Combinations for Shade
Alocasia ‘Excalibur’
Syngonium ‘Neon’
Setcresea
Philodendron
‘Prince of Orange’
Iresine ‘Curly’
Ludisia discolor
Begonia
‘Cherries & Chocolates’
Caladium ‘Pink Symphony’
Philodendron gloriosum
Syngonium ‘Confetti’
Ficus benjamina
Begonia ‘Black Beauty’
Philodendron gloriosum
Anthurium crystallinum
Zinziber ‘Midnight’
Xanthosoma ‘Magnificum’
Polypodium
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Table 1. Selected commonly marketed tropical plants, their cultural requirements, and
recommended use in containers.
Abbreviations: S = full sun, PS = part shade, SH = shade;
CE = Center plants fill in the crown of the container, F = filler plants round out the top of the
container, CO = corner plants are planted over the container’s edge, E = edge plants drape over
the side of the container.
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Acalypha hispida
Chenile Plant
S/PS
CE/F
Acalypha wilkesiana
Copper-Leaf Plant
S/PS
CE/F
Achimenes spp.
Magic Flower
PS/SH
CO/E
Adiantum radianum
Maidenhair Fern
SH
F/CO
Aechmea fasciata
Silver Vase
PS/SH
F/CO
Aeschynanthus marmoratus
Zebra Basket Vine
PS/SH
F/CO/E
Aeschynanthus pulcher
Lipstick Vine
PS/SH
CO/E
Agave americana
Variegated Century Plant
S
CE/F
Agave victoriae-reginae
Queen Agave
S
CE/F
Aglaonema spp.
Aglaonema
SH
F/CO
Allamanda cathartica
Allamanda
S
F/CO
Alloplectus nummularia
Miniature Pouch Flower
S
F/CO
Allocasia spp.
Elephant Ear
S/PS
CE/F
Aloe aborescens
Candelabra Plant
S
CE/F
Aloe barbadensis
Medicine Plant
S
CE/F
Alpinia sanderae
Variegated Ginger
S/PS/SH
CE/F
Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’
Yellow Shell Ginger
S/PS/SH
CE/F
Alternanthera cvs.
Alternanthera
S/PS
CE/F/CO
Amomum cardamom
Cardamon Ginger
PS/SH
CE/F
Amorphophallus bulbifer
Amorphophallus
SH
CE/F
Ananas ‘Striatus’
Variegated Pineapple
S
CE/F
Anthurium clarinervium
Dwarf Crystal Anthurium
SH
F/CO
Anthurium hookeri
Bird’s Nest Anthurium
SH
F/CO
Anthurium scherzeranum
Flamingo Flower
SH
F/CO
Aphelandra squarrosa
Zebra Plant
SH
F/CO
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’
Plume Asparagus
S/PS
F/CO
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
Foxtail Fern
S/PS
CE/F
Aspidistra elatior
Cast Iron Plant
SH
CE/F
Asplenium nidus
Bird’s Nest Fern
SH
CE/F
Barleria repens
Coral Creeper
S
CO
Beaucarnea recurvata
Ponytail
S
CE/F
Begonia spp.
Cane-stemmed (B. sceptrum)
Shrub-like (B. metallica)
Rex-cultorum (B. x rex-cultorum)
Rhizomatous (B. masoniana)
Begonia
Holly-Leaf Begonia
Metallic-Leaf Begonia
Rex Begonia
Iron-Cross Begonia
PS/SH
PS/SH
PS/SH
PS/SH
CE
CE/F
F/CO
F/CO
10
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Billbergia nutans
Queen’s Tears
SH
CE/F
Billbergia zebrina
Zebra Plant
SH
CE
Bougainvillea spp.
Bougainvillea
S
F/CO
Brassaia actinophylla
Schefflera
S/SH
CE/F
Brassaia arboricola
Dwarf Schefflera
S/SH
CE/F
Breynia roseo-picta
Leaf Flower
S
CE/F
Caladium cvs.
Caladium
SH
F/CO
Calathea insignis
Rattlesnake Plant
SH
CE/F/CO
Calathea makoyana
Peacock Plant
SH
F/CO
Calathea zebrina
Zebra Plant
SH
CE/F/CO
Callisia repens ‘Turtle Vine’
Turtle Vine
S/PS
CO/E
Canna cvs.
Canna
S
CE
Caryota mitis
Fishtail Palm
S/SH
CE
Ceropegia woodii
Rosary Vine
S
E
Chamaedorea elegans
Parlor Palm
S/SH
CE
Chamaedorea erumpens
Bamboo Palm
S/SH
CE
Chamaerops humilis
European Fan Palm
S/SH
CE
Chlorophytum comosum
Spider Plant
SH
CO
Chlorophytum amaniense
Fireflash
SH
F/CO
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Areca Palm
S/SH
CE
Christia obcordata
Butterfly Plant
S/PS
CO
Christia subbcordata
Iron Butterfly Plant
S/PS
CO
Cissus antarctica
Kangaroo Vine
PS/SH
E
Cissus rhombifolia
Grape Leaf Ivy
PS/SH
E
Cissus rotundifolia
Wax Cissus
PS/H
E
Cleriodendron spp.
Glory Bower
S/PS
CE/F/CO
Codiaeum variegatum
Croton
S/PS
CE/F
Coffea arabica
Coffee
S/PS
CE/F
Colocasia spp.
Elephant Ear
S/PS
CE/F
Columnea hybrids
Goldfish Plant
PS/SH
E
Cordyline terminalis
Ti Plant
S/PS
CE/F
Costus spp.
Spiral Ginger
PS/SH
CE/F
Crassula arborescens
Silver Jade Plant
S
CO
Crassula ovata
Jade Plant
S
CO
Crassula teres
Rattlesnake Tail
S
CO
Crossandra infundibuliformis
Crossandra
S/PS
F/CO
Cryptanthus tricolor
Stiff Pheasant Leaf
PS
CO
Cryptanthus zonatus zebrinus
Zebra Plant
PS
CO
Ctenanthe oppenheimiana ‘Tricolor’
Never-Never Plant
SH
CE/F
Cuphea cyanea
Red Cuphea
S
F/CO
Cuphea hyssopifolia
False Heather
S
CO
11
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Cuphea ignea
Cigar Flower
S
CE
Cuphea x purpurea
Firefly
S
CE/F
Curculigo purpurea ‘Purple Prince’
Purple Prince
SH
CE
Curcuma spp.
Ginger
S/PS/SH
CE
Cyanotis kewensis
Teddy Bear Plant
S/PS
CO/E
Cyanotis somalensis
Pussy Ears
S/PS
CO/E
Cyclanthus bipartitus
Panama Hat Plant
SH
CE/F
Cyrtomium falcatum
Holly Fern
SH
F/CO
Cyrtosperma johnstonii
Cyrtosperma
SH
CE/F
Cyathula prostrata
Hookweed
S
CO
Davallia fejeensis
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
SH
CO
Dieffenbachia cvs.
Exotica Perfection
SH
CE/F
Dichondra repens ‘Silver Falls’
Silver Falls Dichondra
S/PS
E
Dichorisandra reginae
Queen’s Spiderwort
PS/SH
CO
Dicliptera suberecta
Flame Bush
S
CO
Dioscorea discolor ‘Burgundy & Silver’
Ornamental Yam
S
CO/E
Dischidia spp.
Urn Vine
PS/SH
E
Dizygotheca elegantissima
False Aralia
PS/SH
CE/F
Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’
Janet Craig
PS/SH
CE/CO
Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’
Warneckii
PS/SH
CE
Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’
Corn Plant
PS/SH
CE
Dracaena goldieana
Queen of Dracaenas
PS/SH
CO
Dracaena marginata
Marginata
PS/SH
CE
Dracaena sanderiana
Ribbon Plant
SH
CE
Dracaena surculosa
Gold Dust Dracaena
SH
F/CO
Dyckia brevifolia
Miniature Agave
S
F/CO
Echeveria elegans
Mexican Snowball
S
CO
Epiphyllum hybrids
Orchid Cacti
SH
F/CO
Epipremnum aureum
Golden Pothos
SH
E
Episcia cupreata
Flame Violet
SH
CO/E
Episcia reptans
Scarlet Violet
SH
E
Euphorbia milii splendens
Crown-of-Thorns
S/PS
CE/F
Fatshedera lizei
Botanical Wonder Plant
S/SH
CE/F
Fatsia japonica
Japanese Aralia
S/SH
CE/F
Ficus benjamina
Weeping Fig
S/SH
CE/F/CO
Ficus deltoidea
Mistletoe Ficus
S/SH
CE/F/CO
Ficus elastica ‘Decora’
Rubber Plant
S/SH
CE/F
Ficus lyrata
Fiddle-Leaf Fig
S/SH
CE/F
Ficus parcellii
Clown Fig
S/SH
F/CE
Ficus pumila
Creeping Fig
S/SH
E
Ficus retusa
Cuban Laurel
S/SH
CE/F/CO
12
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Fittonia verschaffeltii
Fittonia
SH
E
Gasteria hybrida
Ox Tongue
S
CO
Geogenanthus undatus
Seersucker Plant
SH
CO
Globba spp.
Globba Ginger
S/SH
CE/F/CO
Graptopetalum amethystinum
Jewel-Leaf Plant
SH
CO
Graptophyllum pictum
Caricature Plant
S/PS/SH
CE/F
Guzmania monostachia
Striped Torch
SH
CO
Gynura aurantiaca
Purple Passion
S
F/CO
Haemaria discolor
Golden Lace Orchid
SH
CO
Hamelia patens
Texas Firebush
S
CE/F
Haworthia fasciata
Zebra Haworthia
S
CO
Hedera canariensis
Algerian Ivy
S/SH
E
Hedera helix
English Ivy
S/SH
E
Hedychium spp.
Butterfly Ginger
S
CE
Heliconia spp.
Lobster Claw
PS/SH
CE
Hemigraphis alternata
Waffle Plant
S/SH
CO/E
Hemigraphis repanda
Purple Waffle Plant
S/SH
CO/E
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Chinese hibiscus
S
CE/F
Hoffmania spp.
Taffeta Plant
SH
CO
Homalomena wallisii
Silver Shield
SH
CO
Howea forsterana
Kentia Palm
S/SH
CE/F
Hoya carnosa
Wax Plant
PS/SH
E
Iresine herbstii
Chicken Gizzard
S/PS
F/CO
Ixora coccinea
Ixora
S/PS
F/CO
Jatropha integerrima
Peregrian
S
CE/F
Justicia brandegeana
Shrimp Plant
S
F/CO
Kaempferia spp.
Peacock Lily
SH
F/CO
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Christmas Kalanchoe
S
CO
Kalanchoe diagremontiana
Mexican Hat Plant
S
CE/F
Kalanchoe pumila
Dwarf Purple Kalanchoe
S
E
Kalanchoe tomentosa
Panda Plant
S
CO
Ledebouria socialis
Silver Squill
PS/SH
CO
Ludisia discolor
Jewel Orchid
SH
CO
Macodes petola
Gold-Net Orchid
SH
CO
Manettia inflata
Firecracker Plant
S
CO
Mandevilla cvs.
Mandevilla
S
F/CO
Maranta leuconeura erythroneura
Red Nerve Plant
SH
CO
Maranta leuconeura kerchoviana
Prayer Plant
SH
CO
Miconia magnifica
Velvet Tree
SH
F/CE
Mikania ternata
Plush Vine
PS/SH
E
Monstera deliciosa
Philodendron Pertusum
SH
F/CO
13
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Monstera obliqua
Swiss Cheese
SH
F/CO/E
Musa cvs.
Ornamental Banana
S/PS
CE
Nautilocalyx lynchii
Black Alloplectus
PS/SH
CO
Neoregelia carolinae ‘Tricolor’
Tricolor Bromeliad
SH
CO
Neoregelia ‘Tricolor’
Tricolor Bromeliad
SH
CO
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’
Boston Fern
PS/SH
F/CO
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Fluffy Ruffles’
Fluffy Ruffles
PS/SH
F/CO
Nidularium innocentii nana
Miniature Bird’s Nest
SH
F/CO
Opuntia vilis
Little Tree Cactus
S
F/CO
Opuntia vulgaris
Irish Mittons
S
F/CO
Oxalis flava
Finger Oxalis
SH/PS
CO
Oxalis rubra
Red Oxalis
SH/PS
CO
Pachystachys lutea
Yellow Shrimp Plant
S
F/CO
Pandanus veithcii
Variegated Screw-Pine
S
CE/F
Paphiopedilum hybrids
Ladyslipper Orchids
SH
F
Pedilanthus tithymaloides ‘Variegatus’
Devil’s Backbone
S/PS
CE/F
Pellaea rotundifolia
Button Fern
SH
F/CO
Pellionia pulchra
Satin Pellionia
SH
CO/E
Peperomia caperata
Emerald Ripple
SH
CO
Peperomia clusiifolia
Red-Edge Peperomia
SH
CO
Peperomia marmorata
Sweetheart Peperomia
SH
CO
Peperomia obtusifolia
Baby Rubber Tree
SH
CO
Peristrophe aureo-variegata
Marble Leaf
SH
CO
Philodendron bipennifolium
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
SH
CE/F
Philodendron melanochrysum
Velour Philodendron
SH
E
Philodendron ‘Emerald Queen’
Emerald Queen Philodendron
SH
F/CO
Philodendron ‘Florida’
Florida Philodendron
SH
F/CO
Philodendron gloriosum
Satin-Leaf Philodendron
SH
CO/E
Philodendron scandens oxycardium
Heart-Leaf Philodendron
SH
E
Philodendron selloum
Tree Philodendron
SH
CE/F/CO
Philodendron verrucosum
Velvet-Leaf Philodendron
SH
CO/E
Phoenix roebelenii
Pigmy Date Palm
S
CE/F
Phormium cvs.
New Zealand Flax
S
CE
Pilea cadierei
Aluminum Plant
SH
CO/E
Pilea involucrata
Friendship Plant
SH
F/CO
Pilea microphylla
Artillery Plant
S/SH
F/CO
Platycerium bifurcatum
Staghorn Fern
SH
F/CO
Plectranthus australis
Swedish Ivy
S/SH
CO/E
Plectranthus oertendahlii
Candle Plant
S/SH
E
Pleomele reflexa variegata
Song of India
S/SH
CE/F
Plumaria cvs.
Frangipani
S
CE/F
14
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Podocarpus
S/SH
CE
Polyscias balfouriana
Balfour Aralia
S/SH
CE/F
Polyscias fruticosa
Ming Aralia
S/SH
CE/F
Porphyrocoma pohliana
Brazilian Fireworks
S
CO
Pseudoranthemum alatum
Chocolate Plant
S/PS
CE/F
Pseudoranthemum atropurpureum ‘Variegatum’
Tricolor
S/PS
CE/F
Pteris ensiformis ‘Victoriae’
Victorian Table Fern
SH
CO
Rhapis excelsa
Lady Palm
S/SH
CE
Rhipsalis baccifera
Mistletoe Cactus
S
E
Rhipsalis cereuscula
Coral Cactus
S
CO/E
Rhoeo bermudensis
Variegated Spiderwort
PS/SH
CO
Rhoeo spathacea
Purple-Leaved Spiderwort
PS/SH
CO
Rodospatha spp.
Pickerel Weed
SH
CO
Ruellia devosiana
Red-Spray Ruellia
S/PS
F/CO
Ruellia macoyana
Trailing Velvet Plant
PS/SH
E
Rusellia equisetiformis
Coral Fountain Plant
S
CO
Saintpaulia hybrids
African Violets
SH
CO
Sanchezia speciosa
Sanchezia
S/PS
F/CO
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’
Bird’s Nest Sansevieria
S/SH
CO
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
Gold-Banded Sansevieria
S/SH
CE
Saxifraga stolonifera
Strawberry Geranium
PS/SH
E
Schlumbergera spp.
Christmas/Easter Cactus
S
CO/E
Scindapsus aureus
Golden Pothos
SH
E
Scindapsus pictus
Silver Pothos
SH
E
Scindapsus pictus argyreus
Satin Pothos
SH
E
Sedum morganianum
Burro’s Tail
S
E
Sedum sieboldii
October Daphne
S
CO/E
Sedum spectabile
Showy Sedum
S
CO
Selaginella kraussiana
Trailing Spikemoss
SH
E
Selaginella willdenovii
Peacock Fern
SH
E
Sempervivum spp.
Houseleek
S
CO
Setaria palmifolia
Palm Grass
S/PS
F
Setcresea pallida ‘Purple Heart’
Purple Heart
S/PS
CO
Sideras fuscata
Brown Spiderwort
PS/SH
CO/E
Sinningia speciosa
Gloxinia
SH
CO
Soleirolia soleirolii
Baby Tears
S/SH
CO
Spathiphyllum cvs.
Peace Lily
SH
F/CO
Stapelia nobilis
Carrion Flower
S
CO
Stephanotis floribunda
Madagascar Jasmine
S
CO/E
Strelitzia spp.
Bird of Paradise
S
CE
Streptocarpus x hybridus
Cape Primrose
S/PS
CO
15
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light Level
Container Use
Strobilanthes dyeranum
Persian Shield
S/PS
F/CO
Stromanthe spp.
Stromanthe
SH
CE/F
Syngonium podophyllum
Nephthytis
SH
CO/E
Tacca integrifolia
Bat Flower
SH
F/CO
Tecoma stans
Trumpet Bush
S
F
Tecomaria capensis
Cape Honeysuckle
S
F
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Rice-Paper Plant
S
CE/F
Tibouchina urvilleana
Brazilian Spider Flower
S
CE/F
Tibouchina grandiflora
Glory Bush
S
CE/F/CO
Tillandsia lendenii
Blue-Flowered Torch
SH
CO
Tolmiea menziesii
Piggyback Plant
PS/SH
CO/E
Tradescantia blossfeldiana
Flowering Inch Plant
PS/SH
CO/E
Tradescantia fluminensis
Wandering Jew
PS/SH
CO/E
Tradescantia sillamontana
White Velvet
PS/SH
CO/E
Tradescantia zebrina
Wandering Jew
PS/SH
CO/E
Vriesea fenestralis
Netted Vriesia
SH
CO
Vriesea splendens
Flaming Sword
SH
CO
Xanthosoma spp.
Yautia
SH
CE/F
Yucca elephantipes
Spineless Yucca
S
CE/F
Zamia furfuracea
Zamia
S
F
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
ZZ Plant
SH
CE/F
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Calla Lily
S
CE/F
Zantedeschia eliottiana
Golden Calla
S
CE/F
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the
state cooperating. Cooperative Extension, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, age, gender or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization
Committed to a Diverse Work Force
Bulletin 1338
February, 2008
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
J. Scott Angle, Dean and Director